2017: A Year in Review

December 29, 2017

2017 brought a tide of transformation — from new team members, to a bold and decidedly patriotic look for the Boot Campaign brand, and collaborative partners looking to lace up with us to serve more military families across the country.

And, thanks to you, we’ve had an impact!

More than 50 veterans were served through our ReBOOT program, helping to restore health and wellness for those struggling with traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, addiction and/or insomnia. Here’s what one had to say about the program, “ReBOOT has the power to change lives. I’m doing things today I couldn’t do just a few years ago. And if you ask my kids right now, they’ll confirm this is the happiest and best mood I’ve been in for five years. Thank you for the opportunity.”

Our #LaceUpAmerica effort to build a groundswell of support for our troops and veterans during the week leading up to Veterans Day, generated awareness amongst the general public of the service and sacrifice of military families and resulted in media coverage on Good Morning America, NBCDFW and in USWeekly and the Dallas Morning News.

More than 80 families in 27 states received Santa Boots boxes to make the Christmas season a little brighter this year in partnership with other national non-profits like the Armed Services YMCA, the Fisher House Foundation, Operation Homefront and the Travis Mills Foundation. Here’s what one family shared after receiving their gifts, “I opened my door to go to work this morning and somehow, overnight, one of your wonderful elves left a giant box on my front porch!!! I can’t put into words the feelings that came over me. I legitimately started crying in my doorway. To see that someone somewhere cared about me and my family with the same love and care I try to teach my kids to give to others was heartwarming. Thank you, thank you so very much!”

More than $2.7 million was raised which fueled our efforts to ignite the inner patriot of all Americans and furthered our programmatic offerings.

Reflecting on the success and changes of 2017, I am grateful for each of you and your steadfast support for our military community and dedication to the Boot Campaign. There is much more to do, however. And we’ll need your continued collaboration to achieve our goals in 2018.

Click here to contribute to our cause and make a meaningful difference in the lives of military families nationwide.

Laced up and ready to take on 2018 with you by our side,
Shelly Kirkland